AWAKENING IN A STRANGE WORLD

Zhang Wei's first sensation was the rough texture of the ground beneath him. The smell of damp earth and wildflowers filled his nose, unfamiliar yet invigorating. He opened his eyes slowly, wincing at the bright sunlight filtering through the towering trees above. The air buzzed with life—birds chirped melodically, the wind rustled the leaves, and somewhere in the distance, the low growl of a beast echoed ominously.

"What… happened?" he muttered, sitting up with a groan. His head throbbed, and his limbs felt unnaturally heavy. Slowly, fragments of memory began to surface: the long hours at the office, the rush to catch the last bus, the screeching brakes, and then… darkness.

Yet, here he was, not dead, but very much alive in a place that was alien to him. The trees stretched impossibly high, their leaves shimmering faintly as if imbued with energy. The vibrant colors around him—rich greens, golden sunlight, and deep shadows—seemed more vivid than anything he'd ever seen on Earth.

"What is this place?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Before he could piece his thoughts together, a voice echoed in his mind—calm, mechanical, and utterly foreign:

System initializing… Welcome, Zhang Wei. You have been chosen.

Zhang Wei froze, his pulse quickening. "Who said that?" he demanded, looking around wildly. But there was no one in sight.

I am the Heavenly System, your guide in this realm, the voice continued, indifferent to his confusion. You have been granted an opportunity to walk the path of cultivation. Strength will determine your survival.

"Cultivation? Survival?" Zhang Wei repeated, struggling to grasp the situation. "What does that even mean? Where am I?"

In response, a translucent screen materialized before him, floating mid-air. The sight of it was surreal—like something out of a video game.

[Heavenly System Interface]

Name: Zhang Wei

Cultivation Level: Mortal (Unranked)

Skills: None

Quests Available: 1

Quest: Survive the Night

Objective: Fend off the incoming Shadow Wolves.Reward: Basic Qi Condensation Manual.Penalty: Death.

Zhang Wei stared at the screen, his mind reeling. "Shadow Wolves? Death? Is this some kind of twisted dream?" He pinched his arm hard, wincing at the pain. No, this was real.

This is your reality now, Zhang Wei. Adapt quickly, or perish, the system's voice intoned coldly.

A chill ran down his spine. He looked around, scanning his surroundings for any sign of these so-called Shadow Wolves. The forest, though serene in its beauty, now seemed menacing. Every rustle of leaves and distant cry of an animal set his nerves on edge.

"Alright, alright," Zhang Wei muttered, trying to steady his breathing. "Think, Zhang Wei. You've read enough survival novels to know panicking won't help."

Tip: Locate a weapon. Utilize your environment to prepare for combat, the system chimed in.

Zhang Wei's eyes darted around until they landed on a fallen branch nearby. It was sturdy and thick, about the length of his arm. He picked it up, testing its weight. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

The sound of snapping twigs made him whirl around. His heart raced as he saw a pair of glowing red eyes emerge from the shadows. A wolf, its sleek black fur blending seamlessly with the darkness, stepped forward, baring sharp, glistening teeth.

"Of course, it's a wolf," Zhang Wei muttered, gripping the branch tightly.

The beast let out a low growl before lunging at him with startling speed. Zhang Wei barely managed to dodge, the wolf's claws swiping inches from his face. He swung the branch wildly, hitting the wolf's side, but the blow only seemed to enrage it further.

Tip: Aim for the eyes or throat. Weak points will ensure maximum damage, the system advised.

"Great advice," Zhang Wei muttered through gritted teeth as the wolf circled him, its red eyes gleaming with predatory intent.

The next attack came faster. The wolf leaped, jaws snapping, and Zhang Wei barely sidestepped in time. Summoning all his courage, he thrust the branch forward, aiming for the wolf's throat. The makeshift weapon struck true, sinking deep into the beast's neck.

The wolf yelped, blood spurting as it collapsed to the ground, its body twitching before finally going still.

Zhang Wei staggered back, panting heavily. He stared at the corpse in disbelief. He had killed it.

Quest complete. Rewarding Basic Qi Condensation Manual.

The translucent screen reappeared, and a small, glowing book materialized before him. Zhang Wei hesitated before reaching out to touch it. As his fingers made contact, the book dissolved into light, and its contents flooded his mind. Diagrams, instructions, and techniques appeared as if imprinted directly onto his consciousness.

"This… this is insane," he whispered, clutching his head as the knowledge settled in.

The system spoke again, its voice emotionless: Host has acquired the Basic Qi Condensation Manual. Begin practice to initiate the first stage of cultivation.

The word "cultivation" still felt foreign to him, but the instructions in his mind were clear. Exhausted but determined, Zhang Wei found a relatively safe spot under the cover of a large tree. He sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing as the manual instructed.

Inhale slowly. Visualize the energy of the world around you. Guide it into your Dantian.

At first, it felt impossible. The air seemed heavy, and his mind wandered. But as he persisted, he began to feel a faint tingling sensation, as if the very air around him carried a subtle force. He focused harder, pulling that energy inward.

Hours passed, and the sun began to dip below the horizon. Zhang Wei's body trembled as he finally felt the energy gather within him, settling in his core. The sensation was exhilarating and overwhelming.

Progress detected. Host has begun Qi absorption. Continue practice to achieve the first stage of Qi Condensation.

Zhang Wei opened his eyes, feeling both drained and invigorated. The forest was now bathed in the orange glow of twilight, and the shadows seemed to stretch longer.

As he prepared to resume his practice, a distant howl echoed through the forest, followed by several others.

Zhang Wei tightened his grip on the bloodied branch by his side. "More wolves," he muttered. His journey had only just begun, and the night promised no rest.